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(No Model.) 3 Shgets-Sheet 2.

T. HAMPTON 8: J. PACER.

MOLD FOR CASTING INGOTS. No. 380,321. Patented Apr. 3, 1888.

N. PETERS. Pmwuun hur. wmin m. u. c.

3 +u e e h S w w h S 3 R E G A PI J & N 0 T P M A H T m d 0 M O MOLD FOR GASTING'INGOTS.

No. 380,321. Patented Apr. 3, 1888.

a] i jyenfarm Ihvrrnn 5 STATES PATENT Omaha.

THOMAS HAMPTON AND JOHN FAOER, OF BARROW-IN-FURNESS, COUNTY OF LANCASTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS OF ONETHIRD TO PHILIP S. JUSTICE &'- CO, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AND LONDON,

ENGLAND.

MOLD FOR CASTING INGOTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0.380,321, dated April 3, 1888.

Application filed July i9, 188?. Serial No. 244,761. (No model.) Patented in England July .25. 1885, No. 8,981; in France December 1, 1885, No. 172,635, and in Belgium December 2, 18:55, No. 71.064.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS HAMPTON and JOHN Fnonn, both subjects of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, and both residing at Barrow-in-Furness, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Molds for Casting Steel Ingots, (for which we have obtained Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 8,981, dated July 25, 1885; in France, No. 172,635, dated December 1, 1885, and in Belgium, No. 71,064, dated December 2, 1885,) of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to the casting of in- 1 gots of steel made by any of the well-known steel-making processes. In casting such ingots it is of importance that the molten metal should not be allowed to strike the sides of the ingot-mold, as the ingot is thereby often rendered defective and the mold is liable to be injured or destroyed. In filling the molds it is, however, sometimes difficult or impos sible to directthe stream of molten metal so as to keep clear of the sides, and accordingly a considerable proportion of the ingots cast are defective. An additional disadvantage in the ordinary method is that the top of the ingot is frequently unsound, thereby causing considerable waste. It has been at- 0 tempted to surmount these difficulties by the adoption of what is known to the trade as the ascensional or uphill mode of castingthat is to say, the molten steel is introduced at the bottom of the mold and rises to the top.

5 The latter process, however, does not fully answer the purpose, and is costly in carrying into effect.

According to our invention, we provide means whereby several ingots may be cast a e simultaneously, the metal being led to the top of each mold and poured exactly into the center. In what we now consider to be a convenient form of apparatus we arrange any suitable number of molds in a group, each mold 4,5 being provided with a cover of cast-iron or fire-brick or other suitable refractory material or composition, each cover having a hole or gate exactly opposite the center of the mold. When all of the molds have been fitted with their covers, the entire group presents a flat surface, upon which a slab or lid of cast-iron or brick is placed, and secured in position by clamps or other means. A central gate or inlet for the molten metal is formed in said slab or lid, and gutters or passages are formed in 5 the lower side of the said slab leading from the said central gate or opening to the holes in the covers of the several molds in the group.

By these arrangements, when the molten steel is poured either directly from the converter or from the ordinary ladle into the central gate or orifice formed in the upper covering-slab, the metal is led by the aforesaid gutters to the several molds and poured thereinto through the central openings,whereby all risk of striking the sides of the molds is obviated,while at the same time a number of ingots can be simultaneously produced. As the level of the metal in the filler at the central gate is higher than the level of the metal in the molds, the metal in the molds rises against the mold-cow ers, and is to a certain extent compressed by the head of metal, the impurity in themetal naturally seeking the higher level, so that a sound ingot is produced and waste prevented. \Vheu the casting has been efiected, the frame containing the group of molds may be removed by a crane or on a bogie-truck, and the ingots taken from the molds. It is primarilyintended that the molds should be of cast-iron; but, and especially in the case of the smaller class of in gots, they may, if desired, be made of loam or of a kindred composition.

Provision for the escape of gas from the molds may be made by perforating the sides or ends.

In cases wherein we apply our invention to the casting of heavy ingots, whereby the combined weight of a group of molds would render the handling difficult, we make the molds separate or detachable, so that when the casting has been eflected we may remove the upper slab and deal separately with the molds.

In such a case the molds might either be ar ranged in a single rank, or they might be in detachable groups or clusters of two or more. The gutters leading from the central gate in the top slab may be lined with gutter-bricks, or with loam or composition, to protect them from the effects of the'moltcn steel; but this is not essential. By means of our hereinbeforedescribed improved means for casting steel ingots in groups from a central gate or metal inlet we obtain greater certainty in the production of sound ingots, a reduction of waste, asaving of labor and material, and an economical and rapid production.

In order that our invention may be properly understood, we will now proceed more particularly to describe and ascertain the manner in which the same may be carried practically into effect, reference being had to the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation ofa casting having nine ingot-molds formed therein, with cover complete. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan on the line a a, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan of Fig. 1 with J the cover removed. Fig. 5 is a view or plan of the cover, looking at the under side. Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a modification in the construction of the cover and upper part of the mold. Fig. 6 shows sectional elevationsand a sectional plan, on an enlarged scale, of the channels and air-vents of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the central filling-funnel of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a group of separateingot-molds with cover complete. Fig. 9 isa plan of same with the cover removed. Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a cover similar in formation to that shown in Fig. 6, but more particularly suited for application to a group of separate molds, as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a plan, on a smaller scale, of a lighter Iorm of cover. Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of a set of thirteen detached tire-ingot molds with cover complete. Fig. 13 is a plan of same, one half of the cover being removed. Fig. 14 is a section on the line I) b, Fig. 13.

The figures on Sheet 1 show our improvements as applied to the casting of the smaller class of ingots of crucible or other steel. For this purpose we employ a series or cluster of ingot-molds, a, which are all formed in one casting, A.

It will be seen that the casting A is provided with a cover, B, which fits upon the top of A. The molds a are narrowed at their upper ends, as shown, and are covered by removable slabs b, which are preferably .made of fire-brick, though they may also be made of any other suitable refractory material or of cast-iron.

The said slabs b have holes a exactly opposite the center of each ingot-mold a, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, and the said holes 0 are connected by shallow gutters or grooves d, formed on the face of the slabs b,with the central hole, c,of the series. The cover B is provided with similar removable gutter bricks or conduits, e, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, having gutters or fective castings.

depended upon entirely to conduct the molten metal to the holes 0, it being only essential that there should be passage-ways for such metal between the slabs or bricks of refractory material covering the upper faces or ends of the molds and the cover B. 1

A central opening, g, with a removable lining, is formed in the cover B. Trunnions h are fixed to and formed on the cover B, by which it may be slung when being put on or removed. The casting A is lifted and moved by means of slings attached to staples i, which are cast into or otherwise fixed to the casting A. Holes j are formed in the cover B, through which the staples project when the cover B is in its place. The casting A rests upon a base, It, in which are formed recessed continuations of the ingot-molds a, as seen more particularly at Fig. 2 of the drawings. By thus recessing the base the joint of the mold with the base is raised a little from the bottom and the formation of a fin on the castingat the place where the joint occurs is rendered less likely. This recessing of the base It may, however, be dispensed with. WVhen casting ingots in the hereinbefore'described n1olds,we place the casting A upon the base k, gage-pins, ledges, or other means being employed to adjust the portion A correctly in position upon said base. We then place the cover B on the top of A and secure it thereto, after which the molds are ready for the casting operation. The molten steel is poured into the central opening, g, as' indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, and is conducted along the gutters d and f to the various holes 0, through each of which a stream of metal falls into the center of each of the molds a, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. By being thus directed to the center of the molds there is no danger of the molten ITO 'metal striking upon the sides of the molds and thus causing the 'productionof defective ingots.

Another advantage consequent upon the use of the described molds is that the cover B tends to exclude the atmosphere, and thus to preventthe metal from boiling at the upper part of the mold, whichis another cause of de- As the molten metal rises in the molds a, the contained air and other gases rise to the top and escape through the joints of the slabs b, with the top of the casting A, to the side passages, Z, and from thence by the openings m, Figs. 1 and 5, to the outer air. WVhen the ingots are sufficiently cool, the cover B is removed, the casting Alifted, and

the ingots taken from their respective molds.

When the slabs and brioksband ehave become worn by use or burned, they can be removed from the topof the molds and from the cover that if a portion only should have becomedamaged the damaged section only can be replaced without removing the others also.

As shown in Fig. 5, the cover B may be of iron and cast with suitable channels therein, in which the gutter bricks or sections e are received, the spaces around the same forming the passages Z. In Fig. 6 the gutter-sections b are made from sand, instead of being of brick, as in the foregoing figures. The said sand sections b can be quickly rammed up in boxes, dried, and placed in position in the recesses there shown as formed in the top of the mold A. The cover B is perfectly flat on its under side, and is not fitted with bricks or linings except at the central orifice, g. A filler, c. is placed on the top of the cover, the said filler being lined with brick or other material, and secured in position by means of the tapered cotter p, as shown by the partial plan view at Fig. 7. The lining of the central holes, 0, of each ingot-mold a has passages or ports r, through which the air or gas escapes as the molds a are being filled, as clearly shown in the enlarged View, Fig. 6. The said passages lead to the joints of the bricks or sections, or they may be continued through the gutterbricks, sides, or cover. It will be understood that these linings, having vents 7', may be used with any of the covers shown-for instance, that shown in Fig. 5, having passagesl and openings m, although,for the sake of clearness 'in illustrating other features, they are not so shown.

Although wehave described the molten steel as being poured into a central opening, 9, itis evident that the said supply-opening might be at the side or in any other suitable position so long as it is used to supply a series of molds simultaneously, as described and shown.

As we have already stated, the arrangement shown on Sheetl of thedrawings is more particularly adapted for casting small ingots of crucible steel. A mold containing a group of such castings can be easily lifted and handled; but in the case o'l'larger ingots we prefer, while arranging the molds in groups, to keep each mold separate. Figs. 8 and 9 on Sheet 2 of the drawings show such an arrangement. In this case the molds a, which, as shown in Fig. 9, compose a group of nine, are placed separately on a common base, is, and are covered by a common cover, B. If considered desirable, the cover B and base it might be arranged in separable sections. The molds a have each a square top or flange, a, so that when they are grouped together they present a fiat square, which is recessed to receive the bricks, slabs, or sand blocks 1), which may be placed in position after the molds a have been put together; or each top a may carry its corresponding portion ofbrick orslab; As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, these slabs b are without the groovesor channels cl, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4:. IVhen the molds a have been placed together. on the base It and the slabs b properly laid, the cover B is superimposed and the molten steel poured through the central gate,

g, and directed by the gutters in the bricks e to the center of each mold in the group, as already described with reference to the figures on Sheet 1 or" the drawings. ing has been effected, the cover 13 is lifted and the molds and ingots are removed separately, each mold being slung from its staples 2'. Provision is made for the escape of air and gases from the molds, as in the case of the foregoing examples. The molds a in this example might either be grouped together, as shown, or they might be arranged in a rank or ranks. The slabs and gutter bricks or sections on the tops of the molds and in the cover might be of castiron lined or protected by brick, loam, sand, or other heat-resisting material; or they might be of cast-iron without such lining. The casting or frame A, containing the group of small ingot'molds a, referred to in Sheet 1, might either be of cast-iron or of loam or other suit able refractory material.

Fig. 10 is a similar arrangement to that shown in Fig. 6, but adapted to a group of separate molds.

Fig. 11 shows another form of cover 13 lightened by removing part of the material composing it, so as to leave the limbs B, B and 13 connected by the transverse portion 13. The said limbs cover the gutters on the tops of the molds a, and may or may not be providedwith gutters or lining.

In Figs. 12, 13, and 14, Sheet 3, we have shown a convenient arrangement for casting tire ingots or lumps, in which a series of separate molds a, in this case thirteen in number, though it is obvious more or less may be employed, are mounted on the base It, above them being placed a cast-iron channel-plate, B, in which are placed rammed-sand gutters or gutter-bricks which correspond to those marked b in Figs. 6 and 10, inasmuch as they are covered by a similar fiat covering-plate, B, which also has a filling-funnel, 0.

The operation of casting is performed in the same manner as already described with reference to the figures on Sheet 1 of the drawings.

We are aware that the casting of steel ingots simultaneously through centrally-situated nozzles or outlets is not new, as such simultaneous casting has been already put in practice with the aid of ladlcs or open intermediate receivers held above or resting upon the molds and having a number of nozzles or outlets through which a number of molds are filled simultaneously, and this we do not claim; but

YVhat we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a group of ingotmolds situated in proximity to each other, fire-brick or other refractory material covering and resting directly upon said molds and provided with holes 0, situated centrally over the same, and a cover, B, resting above said refractory material and the molds and provided with a central gate, 9, there being passages or gutters between the cover and said When the cast- IIS refractory material leading from the gate 9 to the holes a, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a group of ingotmolds situated in proximity to each other, fire-brick or other refractory material covering and resting directly upousaid molds and provided with holes 0, situated centrally over the same, a removable cover, B, bolted to the molds and provided with a central gate, g, passages or gutters'leading from the gate 9 to the holes 0, and vents leading from the molds between the molds and the cover to the external air, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a group of ingotmolds situated in proximity to each other, slabs of refractory material covering the same and provided with holes 0, situated centrally over the molds, and a removable cover having a central gate, 9, and provided with removable gutter-bricks leading from the said central gate to the holes 0, substantially as described.

4. In combination with a group of ingotmolds situated in proximity to each other, the cover B, with removable gutter-bricks e, and a central or common gate, 9, to receive the molten metal, and also side passages, Z, and ports m, to permit of the escape of air and gases, substantially as described and shown.

5. The combination of a series of separable ingot-molds, each having a covered end with an inlet-opening, and a cover inclosing a chamber having a refractory lining perforated at points opposite said inlets, and with an inlet for molten metal, substantially as described.

6. The combination,with the molds a, cover B, and slabs I), provided with holes 0, of the lining of the holes 0, provided with passages or ports 1 for the air and gases to escape through as the molds are being filled, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' THOMAS HAMPTON.

JOHN FAGER. Witnesses:

H. OARENQIEREs PEARSON,

Solicitor, Barrow in-Furness. RIcHD. RELPH,

His Clerk. 

